Google recently underwent a . The company merged its and Hardware (Pixel) teams as part of this reorganization. If you don't know already, the Android team was responsible for developing the Android OS and related platforms, while the Hardware team was responsible for Pixel smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other hardware products.
This could be good or bad news for Samsung and other Android OEMs, depending on what Google does next.
This new team within Alphabet is now called Platforms and Devices and is . It will now develop software for the Android ecosystem and Google's hardware products. Earlier, Google maintained a distance between Android and Pixel products so that Android could be seen as a neutral provider for all brands, including Pixel. This meant that Google's Pixel team wouldn't have the upper hand compared to other smartphone OEMs. That distance is no longer present, with Android and Hardware teams being merged.
So, should Samsung be worried? Apparently not.
Google says its partner brands (like Honor, OnePlus, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi) shouldn't worry. The company says the merger should be seen as a positive, as the Android ecosystem can now develop things faster. Rick Osterloh met with Samsung MX CEO TM Roh recently and the companies' relationship has never been stronger.
In an , Rick Osterloh and Hiroshi Lockheimer (the previous head of Android, Chrome, and ChromeOS) revealed that they have been discussing this merger with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai for over two years. He said consolidating teams “helps us to be able to do full-stack innovation when that's necessary.” He also said that with this merger, it can now bring AI to all its products faster.
Google recently brought some of its features (Circle to Search and Wear OS) to Samsung first and then to Pixel devices. This move could be a way for Google to stop OEMs from worrying. However, we must wait and watch Google's moves longer to know if it will stick to its promise. We know how many good products Google has killed over the years (), including the nifty little Chromecast.
If Google follows through with its promise, the Android ecosystem will improve greatly. The company has streamlined many of its platforms and services over the past few years. In collaboration with Samsung, it , , and . However, it has also ruined many products, including Fitbit and Nest. Many of us know how quickly sometimes Google decides to throw in the towel (looking at you, Stadia).
If Google doesn't follow through, it would be disastrous for Samsung and all other Android OEMs. Hopefully, Samsung is keeping a close eye on Google and how it is approaching Android and Wear OS.
The post appeared first on .
This could be good or bad news for Samsung and other Android OEMs, depending on what Google does next.
Google claims merger of Android and Hardware teams will help it bring better features faster
This new team within Alphabet is now called Platforms and Devices and is . It will now develop software for the Android ecosystem and Google's hardware products. Earlier, Google maintained a distance between Android and Pixel products so that Android could be seen as a neutral provider for all brands, including Pixel. This meant that Google's Pixel team wouldn't have the upper hand compared to other smartphone OEMs. That distance is no longer present, with Android and Hardware teams being merged.
So, should Samsung be worried? Apparently not.
Google says its partner brands (like Honor, OnePlus, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi) shouldn't worry. The company says the merger should be seen as a positive, as the Android ecosystem can now develop things faster. Rick Osterloh met with Samsung MX CEO TM Roh recently and the companies' relationship has never been stronger.
In an , Rick Osterloh and Hiroshi Lockheimer (the previous head of Android, Chrome, and ChromeOS) revealed that they have been discussing this merger with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai for over two years. He said consolidating teams “helps us to be able to do full-stack innovation when that's necessary.” He also said that with this merger, it can now bring AI to all its products faster.
Can we trust Google to follow through, though?
Google recently brought some of its features (Circle to Search and Wear OS) to Samsung first and then to Pixel devices. This move could be a way for Google to stop OEMs from worrying. However, we must wait and watch Google's moves longer to know if it will stick to its promise. We know how many good products Google has killed over the years (), including the nifty little Chromecast.
If Google follows through with its promise, the Android ecosystem will improve greatly. The company has streamlined many of its platforms and services over the past few years. In collaboration with Samsung, it , , and . However, it has also ruined many products, including Fitbit and Nest. Many of us know how quickly sometimes Google decides to throw in the towel (looking at you, Stadia).
If Google doesn't follow through, it would be disastrous for Samsung and all other Android OEMs. Hopefully, Samsung is keeping a close eye on Google and how it is approaching Android and Wear OS.
The post appeared first on .